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After tons of research and conversations, we've decided to try something completely new. The kids are going to be home with me next year instead of attending school. I'm writing all about it on another blog for anyone interested in following this little adventure :) We probably will also have a few trips to Germany and elsewhere mixed in... SO EXCITED! I get really nervous about telling people about my choices for some reason, but I'm working on it. It was time to finally let everyone know.

I believe the main reason bullying has become such a problem is our continued mistreatment of children. We are bullies to them. We are sarcastic and cynical and disrespectful. We lord our power over them. We hit them. We say everything we want, however we want, as loud as we want, and tell them they cannot respond similarly. We tell them how they feel and how they should feel. We tell them what their intentions are. We don't ask them or help them think through these complicated issues. We don't practice patience. We publicly shame them. We don't trust them or have faith in their abilities. We tell them what they can wear and say and when they can eat, sleep, even go to the bathroom. It's insane. We say "you can be anything", but our actions are fear-filled and insecure and opposite our words. We give them no autonomy or control over their own lives.

This is especially true during middle school years, when kids are earnestly trying to become in…